Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 could be virtually bezel-less

posted by Ben R. / Oct 02, 2015, 10:00 AM

With the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 poised for announcement next week, we're learning a little more of what it may include when it does eventually manifest itself. The latest tidbit arrives courtesy of Arabic-language site W4pHub, which reports that the upcoming release will feature a super-thin bezel akin to Dell's XPS 13 ultrabook. A short while ago, we got a look at the XPS 12 tablet from Dell, which looks set to include a trump card of its own with an optional 4K display. Though there's no suggestion that the Surface Pro 4 will do likewise in the resolution department, the move to do away with much of the bezel will surely appeal to prospective buyers.

As simplistic as it may sound, the consensus among the tech community is that thick bezels are bad, and that thinner bezels are generally good. From an aesthetic point of view, it's hard to counter this judgement, and per the W4pHub report, the bezel of the Surface Pro 4 will be so thin that only the bottom bezel will be especially noticeable.

The image posted above is the one shared by the source of this story. Disregarding the fact that it's an ultrabook, though, we could be looking at a form factor similarish to the Dell XPS 13:

The report also claims that the Surface Pro 4 may include a special 'Smart Frame' feature, which will alter dependent on whether Windows 10 is in desktop or tablet mode. In a nutshell, this would mean that in desktop mode, you'd get something like the top half of the Dell you see above, whereas in tablet mode, the frame / bezel area would broaden, making it easier to hold.

Whether there's any truth in either of these rumors remains to be seen. But with October 6th now market in the calendar, we shan't have to wait too long to find out.

Would you like to see a less bezel-heavy Surface Pro 4? Let us know of your thoughts in the comments.

Posts: 706; Member since: May 30, 2013

posted on Oct 02, 2015, 10:10 AM 0

Posts: 22; Member since: Sep 14, 2015

If bezel is reduced from 15mm to 12mm no body will care.. But if the bezel reduction makes a 14" screen fit in a 12" frame of the previous gen.. And let users use old accessories like keyboards and docks then great don't u think?

posted on Oct 02, 2015, 12:46 PM 3

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

posted on Oct 02, 2015, 10:21 AM 0

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

Normal people generally don't.
I walked into a Microsoft store with a non-techie friend and was showing him a Dell XPS 13. I mentioned how thin the bezels were and he had no idea what I was talking about. When I explained that it was the rim around the screen, he said he never really thought or cared about it.
If it hinders use of the device I'm against it, but bezels can also contribute to the overall aesthetic of the device, like a frame. Further, they also have the benefit of housing features like front-facing speakers, buttons, and better front cameras. The sacrifice the XPS 13 makes, for instance, is that the front camera is in a bizarre spot on the lower portion of the screen.

posted on Oct 02, 2015, 7:02 PM 1

Posts: 274; Member since: May 18, 2015

posted on Oct 03, 2015, 9:45 AM 0

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

Hohoho, if it's got the SmartFrame feature, I'm all for going bezeless. Though, having the camera at the chin of the display would be a bit awkward and could potentially force users to have the keyboard laying flat when they want to do a video chat with the Surface on their lap...we shall see what splendid design Panos Pannay makes, go Panos, go Panos, don't forget a Thunderbolt 3 USB Type C port.

posted on Oct 04, 2015, 11:34 PM 0

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

Update: Looks like the bezels are slimmer but not bezeless (that's good), but they didn't include a Thunderbolt 3 USB Type C port...oh well, looks like my awesome Surface Pro 2 is gonna get yet another year of use :)

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. You can order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers at https://www.parsintl.com/phonearena or use the Reprints & Permissions tool that appears at the bottom of each web page. Visit https://www.parsintl.com/ for samples and additional information.